Monthly Archives: February 2015

DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Feb. 25, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PositiveID Corporation (“PositiveID” or “Company”) (OTCQB:PSID), a developer of biological detection and diagnostics solutions, today announced that it has launched a new corporate website at www.psidcorp.com.

PositiveID’s M-BAND (Microfluidic Bio-agent Autonomous Networked Detector) continuously and autonomously analyzes air samples for the detection of biological airborne threats in the form of bacteria, viruses, and toxins for up to 30 days. Results from individual M-BAND instruments are reported via a secure wireless network in real time to give an accurate and up-to-date status of field conditions. M-BAND is the only system of its kind successfully demonstrated in the field under the DHS’ BAND Program (Bio-agent Autonomous Networked Detector).

PositiveID’s Firefly Dx is a point-of-need, handheld system designed to deliver molecular diagnostic results from a sample in less than 20 minutes, compared to two to four hours for a lab device, using real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) chemistry. The system is a two-part device consisting of a portable handheld instrument with wireless communication and disposable single-use cartridges containing all necessary analytical elements. The system is designed to process a variety of sample types, including whole blood, buccal and nasopharyngeal swabs, urine, and environmental field samples.

Scientists have warned massive agricultural expansion in Tanzania could lead to a ‘perfect storm’ for human plague transmission by encouraging an increase in the number of disease-carrying rats.

A new study published yesterday in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene by researchers from the University of California found that the expansion of crop lands by 70 per cent over recent years has caused the number of plague-carrying rodents to double.

Rats which live in human areas are also particularly competent hosts for plague and are more likely to interact with humans, increasing the chance of humans being bitten by plague-infected fleas.

Researchers are refining for Army use a commercial technology that will allow Soldiers to accurately and rapidly detect an array of chemical and biological hazards – from mustard agent to anthrax – and then transmit those results to their higher command.

Gerald Parker, the Texas A&M Health Science Center vice president for public health preparedness and response, was recently nominated to serve as an ex officio member of the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense. The Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense will evaluate how prepared the nation is in defending against bioterrorism and dealing with outbreaks caused by infectious diseases.

Tom Ridge, the former Pennsylvania Governor and Homeland Security Secretary, co-chairs the panel along with Joe Lieberman, former Senator of Connecticut. Other panelists include Tom Daschle, former Senator from South Dakota, Jim Greenwood, a former Representative from Pennsylvania, Donna Shalala, former Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Kenneth Wainstein, former U.S. Homeland Security Advisor.

Through several workshops and meetings across the country, the panel will carefully assess biodefense programs and policies in order to prevent and detect possible biological threats and to prepare adequate responses. The panel will be making recommendations based on their evaluation so that needed modifications can be made to improve the country’s capabilities and optimize investment resources. Findings will be published in the Spring of 2015.

DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Feb. 12, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PositiveID Corporation (“PositiveID” or “Company”) (OTCQB:PSID), a developer of biological detection and diagnostics solutions, today announced that it has achieved a significant milestone in the development of its handheld Firefly Dx system with the completion of the build of its breadboard PCR (polymerase chain reaction) chip. The Company has begun testing assays to prove the design of achieving PCR results in less than 20 minutes…

Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg, commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has decided to resign from her post sometime in March, according to government officials.

No replacement has been selected, but the FDA chief scientist, Dr. Stephen Ostroff, will temporarily fill the top post while waiting for congressional approval of the new agency commissioner, government officials said.